President William Ruto has been warned over Kenya’s involvement in Sudan’s ongoing crisis, with Sudanese leaders accusing him of interfering in their country’s internal affairs and violating African Union (AU) principles.
In an open letter shared on Thursday, February 20, Sudan Sovereign Council Vice Chair Malik Agar said that the Sudanese people are capable of solving their own challenges without external interference.
Agar warned of repercussions, wondering why Kenya would get involved in the Sudan conflict without expecting trouble coming its way.
"It is essential to remind President William Ruto that his own country—Kenya, to whom he owes a duty of care, faces numerous internal challenges, including youth unemployment, poverty, and demands for transparency—issues that require his utmost attention. How can he claim to mediate Sudanese affairs when he has never experienced the scale of violence currently unfolding in Sudan? The patriotic Sudanese people are more than capable of addressing their own challenges, and a parallel government advocated by the participants of the meeting and hosted by President William Ruto is not a priority. The priority is to stop the fighting," Malik stated.
He added," The trail of actions taken by President Ruto represents an alarming trend of external interference that threatens to divide Sudan. Such behaviour is explicitly prohibited. By the AU Charter and condemned by the AU’s Peace and Security Council, one must wonder: Why is Kenya intervening in Sudan's internal matters while simultaneously expecting no repercussions?."
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Agar further condemned Ruto for hosting Sudanese opposition figures in Nairobi, claiming that he is supporting efforts to create a parallel government in Sudan
"The African Union has consistently affirmed its commitment to respect the sovereignty of Sudan. On February 14, 2025, the AU reiterated its dedication to upholding the territorial integrity and unity of Sudan in paragraph 7.
"Yet, just days later, on the 18th of February 2025, President Ruto allowed members, supporters of the RSF, and others to convene in his capital, Nairobi, with an aim to establish a parallel government in Sudan. This act not only contravenes AU principles but also erodes Kenya’s standing as a peacemaker," the letter added.
Notably, this comes a day after Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi issued a statement on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) meeting in Nairobi, clarifying that the meeting was not an endorsement of any faction but part of ongoing regional efforts to restore peace in Sudan.
"We note that this is not the first time groups in Sudan have sought solutions to their crisis by leveraging the good offices of neighbouring countries. Indeed, in January 2024, parties and stakeholders to the Sudanese conflict met in a neighbouring country to chart a way forward on inclusive dialogue and return to civilian rule.
"RSF and Sudanese civilian groups’ tabling of a roadmap and proposed leadership in Nairobi is compatible with Kenya’s role in peace negotiation, which enjoins her to provide non-partisan platforms to conflict parties to seek resolutions," the statement read in part.
Mudavadi reaffirmed Kenya's support for the Sudanese people, expressing confidence in their ability to determine their future governance through inclusive dialogue.
"Kenya therefore reiterates its solidarity with the people of Sudan as they define their destiny and future political governance through inclusive dialogue. Kenya is confident that the Sudanese people will find a quick solution to the current situation, and in a manner that safeguards its security and that of the region.
"On its part, Kenya remains ready, individually and collectively through IGAD, AU, and other regional mechanisms, to support any efforts agreed upon by the people of Sudan in ensuring stability and prosperity of their country and the entire Horn of Africa region," the statement further read.
